Before selecting a Mr. Heater product, you should think about the size and heat setting that will suit your camping area. If you are camping in a smaller space, the Mr. Heater Little Buddy Heater is a good choice at a price of $112. It produces 3,800 BTUs and can heat up to 95 square feet for about 5.6 hours. It operates using a 1-pound propane tank. Additionally, the Little Buddy Heater is equipped with a safety feature that shuts off the heater if it tips over. However, be cautious as the metal covering may still be hot and could potentially melt your sleeping bag if it falls onto it.
If you’re staying in a larger space or require more heating capacity, you might consider the Mr. Heater’s Hunting Buddy Portable Heater. Priced at $222, this model is nearly twice the cost of the aforementioned heater, but it provides more than double the power. It generates between 6,000 and 12,000 BTU and can heat up to 300 square feet, making it suitable for larger campsites. When it comes to propane, you have the option of using a 1-pound tank, which can provide up to 3.6 hours of heat on low, according to the company. With the optional hose, you can also use a 20-pound tank. Either way, you’ll be sure to stay warmer during your camping trip.
The SwitchBot K10+ robot vacuum is known for its compact size and is packed with features. It uses a powerful motor, generating 2500Pa of suction to capture heavy items on the floor. It also supports mopping with disposable mops that can be attached after vacuuming.
The robot vacuum comes with a base station for charging and garbage collection. After cleaning, it automatically returns to the base station to charge. The base station has a 4-liter dustbin that can hold waste for up to 70 days.
Other features include memory for up to 10 different maps, carpet detection, 4 suction levels, scheduled cleaning, and support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is also promised to support Matter in the future.
The SwitchBot K10+ is available in the U.S. at a launch price of $499.99, but it is currently on sale for $399.99 for a limited time on Switchbot’s website or on Amazon.
Naming a car is just as important as the product itself and carmakers, often, create new words just to achieve a nice connotation to a new model’s name. The right name for the car can, often, directly influence a car’s success in the market, and there have been more than a few cases where choosing the wrong name for a car has resulted in a sales disaster. Sometimes, car manufacturers are forced to rename a model for a certain market, due to the original name having a rather negative or hilarious meaning in certain languages.
A case in point was the Mitsubishi Pajero, which was sold as the Montero in Spain, the reason being “pajero” in Spanish slang means “wanker”. That didn’t stop the Japanese SUV from becoming a legend, but others were less fortunate. More often than not, however, car companies nail it when it comes to a car’s name.
Sometimes, a good car name can only consist of a three-digit number, as sports car maker, Porsche has proven in many cases. Others, like supercar maker Pagani, are more dramatic. You probably wondered what some of your favorite cars’ names mean, and we have provided the answer for these epic models, listed below.
To make the article more informative, we gathered detailed performance specifications for each car on the list, from Automobile Catalog’s rich performance database. Models in this list have been arranged based on when they first debuted
In the mid-1960s, the Ford Mustang made the revolution, giving young Americans an affordable, fun sporty car. The Pony car segment was born, but GM was not about to let Ford have all the glory. In 1967, Chevrolet unveiled a Pony car of its own – the Camaro. This started one of the greatest automotive rivals in history, and eventually, the Camaro became one of the most popular platforms. The meaning of the name Camaro was not as straightforward as the Mustang.
1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS396 Specifications
Engine
6.4-liter V-8
Transmission
3-speed auto/3-4-speed manual
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
Power
325-375 hp
Torque
410-415 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
6.7-5.4 seconds
Top Speed
126-137 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The word, itself, had French roots and meant friend/pal. That doesn’t quite explain why the Camaro has what resembles a French flag turned 90 degrees. The brand’s founder, Louis Chevrolet was Swiss-born, which is as close as the French connection with Chevrolet gets. Still, the Camaro was a worthy competitor despite Ford’s Mustang having a head start. In 1977, the Camaro outsold Ford’s Mustang for the first time.
Another iconic, Italian car name comes from the DeTomaso. Mangusta was the brand’s second model, after the Vallelunga. The Mangusta was also mid-engine and was also motivated by a Ford engine, only this time, it was a 289 V-8, shared with the Mustang Shelby GT350. There was also a more “laid-back” version of the car, powered by a much more conservatively tuned Ford 302 V-8.
1967 DeTomaso Mangusta Specifications
Engine
4.7-liter V-8
Transmission
5-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
305 hp
Torque
411 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
4.7 seconds
Top Speed
155 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
DeTomaso was meant to compete with the Shelby Cobra and the name was not chosen by accident. Mangusta was Italian for mongoose- an animal that prays on snakes. Any car meant to compete with the extremely scary Shelby Cobra was no joke, and while DeTomaso Mangusta was one of the fastest cars in the 1960s, the Cobra was lighter, more powerful, and ultimately, the faster car. Still, the DeTomaso Mangusta is aggressive enough to be used as inspiration for the latest Batmobile.
81974 Lamborghini Countach
Mecum
By all accounts, the Marcello Gandini-designed Lamborghini Countach left its mark in the automotive world. Its 16-year production run certainly contributed to that, but it was more about the styling of the car. The Countach was outrageous in every way – a fact underlined even by its name. While a more literal translation of the name would mean “plague” or “contagion”, Countach was used in a different context when it came to the Lamborghini supercar. In Italian slang, “Countach” was used to express amazement, something like “goodness” for lack of a more subtle expression. Indeed, that was the typical reaction when one saw the Countach or even drove it.
Almost all Ferrari models are of legendary status, but one of the most iconic nameplates of the carmaker that stands out is Testarossa. The name was first used on a Ferrari in 1957, on the Ferrari 250 Testarossa. Nowadays, it is mostly associated with the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa as the name is not preceded by a number. The name “testa rossa” means “redhead” in Italian. This refers not to the usual for most Ferrari cars, bright-red paint, but to the red cam covers on the V-12 engine (which was, technically, a flat-12), which was another signature trait of Ferrari cars.
1984 Ferrari Testarossa Specifications
Engine
4.9-liter Flat-12
Transmission
5-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
385 hp
Torque
354 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
5.3 seconds
Top Speed
181 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The 1984 Testarossa may not have been the fastest thing of its day, but it was one of the most striking vehicles when it came to styling. It was certainly brash enough to be the poster car of the 1984-1989 “Miami Vice” TV series.
Sometimes, the most iconic car names are simple abbreviations. Such is the case with the ground-breaking Honda NSX. The Japanese, mid-engine supercar showed the world, supercars could be reliable and easy to live with, and you didn’t need to have a team of specialized mechanics on stand-by, 24/7. The car’s clever engineering and exceptional chassis, dialed in by legendary F1 driver, Ayrton Senna, made the NSX into a legend.
1991 Honda NSX Specifications
Engine
3.0-liter V-6
Transmission
5-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
276 hp
Torque
217 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
5.6 seconds
Top Speed
168 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The name is well-known among JDM enthusiasts and the three letters stand for “New Sports Car eXperimental”. The experiment paid off since the Honda/ Acura NSX is a desired Japanese sports car even more than 30 years after its debut. Sadly, the second-generation NSX did not enjoy the same success despite, once again, being groundbreaking.
51999 Pagani Zonda
Norbert Aepli/Wikimedia Commons
Boutique carmakers like Pagani make some truly astonishing vehicles, both, in terms of engineering and finish. The Italian carmaker, based near Modena, is named after its founder, Horacio Pagani. The company name, itself, is derived from a few different meanings and deserves its paragraph. Pagani’s first model, the Zonda, is named after a South American hot wind, which swoops down from the Andes to the Argentine Pampas.
1999 Pagani Zonda C12/ C12 S Specifications
Engine
6.0-7.0-liter V-12
Transmission
5/6-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
395-542 hp
Torque
420-531 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
3.7-3.6 seconds
Top Speed
185-208 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The car is as dramatic as the name suggests, not just, because of the styling, but also because of its very-torquey, Mercedes-derived V-12 engine. Even more impressive is the fact the Zonda could be had with a manual transmission, in times when paddle-shift automatics were starting to take over.
In 1973, Porsche introduced one of its most well-known model names, the Carrera. This designation was almost always exclusive to the 911, and in more recent years, it signifies the base model of the rear-engine sports car. However, the Carrera name stood on its own, for the first time, in the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT. It is a well-known fact that “GT” stands for Gran Turismo in the car world. Carrera on the other hand, means “race” in Spanish.
2004 Porsche Carrera GT Specifications
Engine
5.7-liter V-10
Transmission
6-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
612 hp
Torque
435 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
3.4 seconds
Top Speed
205 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
Even the base-model 911 is quick enough to be a capable racer and throughout the years, the 911 saw great success in a variety of racing series and with different iterations of the car. The Carrera GT was equally worthy of the name due to no small part to its V-10 engine, which was initially developed for Formula 1, later repurposed for Le Mans, and finally put in the production-version Porsche Carrera GT.
Porsche’s Panamera is one of the more modern entries on the list, with the first generation dating back to 2009. Porsche has been experimenting with the idea of a “four-door 911” for decades, but it finally came to fruition with the Panamera. Porsche also boasts of a proud racing heritage and this new, groundbreaking model had to be named appropriately.
2009 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Specifications
Engine
4.8-liter Twin-turbo V-8
Transmission
7-speed PDK auto
Drivetrain
Front-engine, AWD
Power
500 hp
Torque
516 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
3.8 seconds
Top Speed
188 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The Panamera name was not chosen randomly as it is a derivative of “Panamerica” – a highway on which the Carrera Americana road race was held. It’s also said to be the longest road, spanning from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, North America down to Ushuaia, at the top of Argentina, in South America. Although this was a luxury, four-door model, it was still a Porsche, and it needed a name that matched its exceptional performance, especially in S, GTS, and Turbo variants. Despite the all-electric Taycan’s recent success, the Panamera will not die just yet.
22011 Pagani Huayra
Pagani
Pagani’s second model, the Huayra, was even more dramatic than the Zonda. The immaculate finish on even the smallest detail along with the impressive mechanicals of the hypercar allowed the Huayra to be as successful as its predecessor, despite early models resembling a deep-sea fish. Luckily, the front end was fixed with later versions that quickly followed.
2011 Pagani Huayra Specifications
Engine
6.0-liter twin-turbo V-12
Transmission
7-speed auto
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
730 hp
Torque
737 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
3.1 seconds
Top Speed
224 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
Propulsion still came from Mercedes AMG in the form of a big V-12, but this time, forced induction was added for even more oompf. That is unless we count the Huayra R, which boasts one of the most powerful naturally aspirated engines. As for the name, it comes from Huayra-tata a South American God of the Wind, revered in the Andes. Interestingly enough, the names was shared by another, much more obscure car – Huayra Pronello Ford – which was Argentinian-made but powered by a Ford Y-Block V-8.
Koenigsegg makes some of the most groundbreaking hypercars in the business. Even the first model of the Swiss brand, the CC8S, managed to achieve a higher top speed than the McLaren F1, although the British model ended up with a higher average speed from three trials. While many of Koenigseg’s high-performance cars feature simple designations, made of letters and numbers, the Jesko stands out. If you are from a Scandinavian country, the name may not be as unusual to you.
Jesko was meant to be the ultimate Koenigsegg and the founder, Christian von Koenigsegg named the car after his father – Jesko. While Jesko Attack is built for racetrack domination, the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is more “slippery” and set up for top-speed runs. Koenigsegg said Jesko Absolut will be the last model built with top speed records in mind.
Naming a car is just as important as the product itself and carmakers, often, create new words just to achieve a nice connotation to a new model’s name. The right name for the car can, often, directly influence a car’s success in the market, and there have been more than a few cases where choosing the wrong name for a car has resulted in a sales disaster. Sometimes, car manufacturers are forced to rename a model for a certain market, due to the original name having a rather negative or hilarious meaning in certain languages.
A case in point was the Mitsubishi Pajero, which was sold as the Montero in Spain, the reason being “pajero” in Spanish slang means “wanker”. That didn’t stop the Japanese SUV from becoming a legend, but others were less fortunate. More often than not, however, car companies nail it when it comes to a car’s name.
Sometimes, a good car name can only consist of a three-digit number, as sports car maker, Porsche has proven in many cases. Others, like supercar maker Pagani, are more dramatic. You probably wondered what some of your favorite cars’ names mean, and we have provided the answer for these epic models, listed below.
To make the article more informative, we gathered detailed performance specifications for each car on the list, from Automobile Catalog’s rich performance database. Models in this list have been arranged based on when they first debuted
In the mid-1960s, the Ford Mustang made the revolution, giving young Americans an affordable, fun sporty car. The Pony car segment was born, but GM was not about to let Ford have all the glory. In 1967, Chevrolet unveiled a Pony car of its own – the Camaro. This started one of the greatest automotive rivals in history, and eventually, the Camaro became one of the most popular platforms. The meaning of the name Camaro was not as straightforward as the Mustang.
1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS396 Specifications
Engine
6.4-liter V-8
Transmission
3-speed auto/3-4-speed manual
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
Power
325-375 hp
Torque
410-415 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
6.7-5.4 seconds
Top Speed
126-137 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The word, itself, had French roots and meant friend/pal. That doesn’t quite explain why the Camaro has what resembles a French flag turned 90 degrees. The brand’s founder, Louis Chevrolet was Swiss-born, which is as close as the French connection with Chevrolet gets. Still, the Camaro was a worthy competitor despite Ford’s Mustang having a head start. In 1977, the Camaro outsold Ford’s Mustang for the first time.
Another iconic, Italian car name comes from the DeTomaso. Mangusta was the brand’s second model, after the Vallelunga. The Mangusta was also mid-engine and was also motivated by a Ford engine, only this time, it was a 289 V-8, shared with the Mustang Shelby GT350. There was also a more “laid-back” version of the car, powered by a much more conservatively tuned Ford 302 V-8.
1967 DeTomaso Mangusta Specifications
Engine
4.7-liter V-8
Transmission
5-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
305 hp
Torque
411 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
4.7 seconds
Top Speed
155 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
DeTomaso was meant to compete with the Shelby Cobra and the name was not chosen by accident. Mangusta was Italian for mongoose- an animal that prays on snakes. Any car meant to compete with the extremely scary Shelby Cobra was no joke, and while DeTomaso Mangusta was one of the fastest cars in the 1960s, the Cobra was lighter, more powerful, and ultimately, the faster car. Still, the DeTomaso Mangusta is aggressive enough to be used as inspiration for the latest Batmobile.
81974 Lamborghini Countach
Mecum
By all accounts, the Marcello Gandini-designed Lamborghini Countach left its mark in the automotive world. Its 16-year production run certainly contributed to that, but it was more about the styling of the car. The Countach was outrageous in every way – a fact underlined even by its name. While a more literal translation of the name would mean “plague” or “contagion”, Countach was used in a different context when it came to the Lamborghini supercar. In Italian slang, “Countach” was used to express amazement, something like “goodness” for lack of a more subtle expression. Indeed, that was the typical reaction when one saw the Countach or even drove it.
Almost all Ferrari models are of legendary status, but one of the most iconic nameplates of the carmaker that stands out is Testarossa. The name was first used on a Ferrari in 1957, on the Ferrari 250 Testarossa. Nowadays, it is mostly associated with the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa as the name is not preceded by a number. The name “testa rossa” means “redhead” in Italian. This refers not to the usual for most Ferrari cars, bright-red paint, but to the red cam covers on the V-12 engine (which was, technically, a flat-12), which was another signature trait of Ferrari cars.
1984 Ferrari Testarossa Specifications
Engine
4.9-liter Flat-12
Transmission
5-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
385 hp
Torque
354 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
5.3 seconds
Top Speed
181 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The 1984 Testarossa may not have been the fastest thing of its day, but it was one of the most striking vehicles when it came to styling. It was certainly brash enough to be the poster car of the 1984-1989 “Miami Vice” TV series.
Sometimes, the most iconic car names are simple abbreviations. Such is the case with the ground-breaking Honda NSX. The Japanese, mid-engine supercar showed the world, supercars could be reliable and easy to live with, and you didn’t need to have a team of specialized mechanics on stand-by, 24/7. The car’s clever engineering and exceptional chassis, dialed in by legendary F1 driver, Ayrton Senna, made the NSX into a legend.
1991 Honda NSX Specifications
Engine
3.0-liter V-6
Transmission
5-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
276 hp
Torque
217 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
5.6 seconds
Top Speed
168 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The name is well-known among JDM enthusiasts and the three letters stand for “New Sports Car eXperimental”. The experiment paid off since the Honda/ Acura NSX is a desired Japanese sports car even more than 30 years after its debut. Sadly, the second-generation NSX did not enjoy the same success despite, once again, being groundbreaking.
51999 Pagani Zonda
Norbert Aepli/Wikimedia Commons
Boutique carmakers like Pagani make some truly astonishing vehicles, both, in terms of engineering and finish. The Italian carmaker, based near Modena, is named after its founder, Horacio Pagani. The company name, itself, is derived from a few different meanings and deserves its paragraph. Pagani’s first model, the Zonda, is named after a South American hot wind, which swoops down from the Andes to the Argentine Pampas.
1999 Pagani Zonda C12/ C12 S Specifications
Engine
6.0-7.0-liter V-12
Transmission
5/6-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
395-542 hp
Torque
420-531 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
3.7-3.6 seconds
Top Speed
185-208 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The car is as dramatic as the name suggests, not just, because of the styling, but also because of its very-torquey, Mercedes-derived V-12 engine. Even more impressive is the fact the Zonda could be had with a manual transmission, in times when paddle-shift automatics were starting to take over.
In 1973, Porsche introduced one of its most well-known model names, the Carrera. This designation was almost always exclusive to the 911, and in more recent years, it signifies the base model of the rear-engine sports car. However, the Carrera name stood on its own, for the first time, in the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT. It is a well-known fact that “GT” stands for Gran Turismo in the car world. Carrera on the other hand, means “race” in Spanish.
2004 Porsche Carrera GT Specifications
Engine
5.7-liter V-10
Transmission
6-speed manual
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
612 hp
Torque
435 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
3.4 seconds
Top Speed
205 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
Even the base-model 911 is quick enough to be a capable racer and throughout the years, the 911 saw great success in a variety of racing series and with different iterations of the car. The Carrera GT was equally worthy of the name due to no small part to its V-10 engine, which was initially developed for Formula 1, later repurposed for Le Mans, and finally put in the production-version Porsche Carrera GT.
Porsche’s Panamera is one of the more modern entries on the list, with the first generation dating back to 2009. Porsche has been experimenting with the idea of a “four-door 911” for decades, but it finally came to fruition with the Panamera. Porsche also boasts of a proud racing heritage and this new, groundbreaking model had to be named appropriately.
2009 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Specifications
Engine
4.8-liter Twin-turbo V-8
Transmission
7-speed PDK auto
Drivetrain
Front-engine, AWD
Power
500 hp
Torque
516 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
3.8 seconds
Top Speed
188 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
The Panamera name was not chosen randomly as it is a derivative of “Panamerica” – a highway on which the Carrera Americana road race was held. It’s also said to be the longest road, spanning from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, North America down to Ushuaia, at the top of Argentina, in South America. Although this was a luxury, four-door model, it was still a Porsche, and it needed a name that matched its exceptional performance, especially in S, GTS, and Turbo variants. Despite the all-electric Taycan’s recent success, the Panamera will not die just yet.
22011 Pagani Huayra
Pagani
Pagani’s second model, the Huayra, was even more dramatic than the Zonda. The immaculate finish on even the smallest detail along with the impressive mechanicals of the hypercar allowed the Huayra to be as successful as its predecessor, despite early models resembling a deep-sea fish. Luckily, the front end was fixed with later versions that quickly followed.
2011 Pagani Huayra Specifications
Engine
6.0-liter twin-turbo V-12
Transmission
7-speed auto
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Power
730 hp
Torque
737 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
3.1 seconds
Top Speed
224 MPH
(Specs from Automobile Catalog)
Propulsion still came from Mercedes AMG in the form of a big V-12, but this time, forced induction was added for even more oompf. That is unless we count the Huayra R, which boasts one of the most powerful naturally aspirated engines. As for the name, it comes from Huayra-tata a South American God of the Wind, revered in the Andes. Interestingly enough, the names was shared by another, much more obscure car – Huayra Pronello Ford – which was Argentinian-made but powered by a Ford Y-Block V-8.
Koenigsegg makes some of the most groundbreaking hypercars in the business. Even the first model of the Swiss brand, the CC8S, managed to achieve a higher top speed than the McLaren F1, although the British model ended up with a higher average speed from three trials. While many of Koenigseg’s high-performance cars feature simple designations, made of letters and numbers, the Jesko stands out. If you are from a Scandinavian country, the name may not be as unusual to you.
Jesko was meant to be the ultimate Koenigsegg and the founder, Christian von Koenigsegg named the car after his father – Jesko. While Jesko Attack is built for racetrack domination, the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is more “slippery” and set up for top-speed runs. Koenigsegg said Jesko Absolut will be the last model built with top speed records in mind.
Vauxhall/Opel’s product planners acknowledge that in today’s SUV- and crossover-dominated market, traditional hatchbacks need to be designed with a different approach. In 2022, there are plenty of options available for those seeking a more spacious, versatile, and convenient compact car compared to the new Vauxhall Astra.
Due to this, the Astra designers focused more on aesthetic appeal rather than cabin packaging, unlike their predecessors.
While the success of this philosophy can be judged from the car’s exterior, its consequences are also evident in the cabin. The Astra now has a lower driving position and is lower-slung than before. Although the front occupant space is generous, the second-row space is less compared to the previous model. Our measurements show that the typical rear legroom is 680mm, which is 20mm less than the Mk7 Astra we tested in 2015. Additionally, the rear headroom is slightly insufficient for taller adults to travel comfortably, even though the rear doors provide easy access.
Although the estate version has a 57mm longer wheelbase, it doesn’t seem to have gained much rear occupant space as the rear legroom is the same. However, the estate offers more generous headroom. As expected, the estate variant has a much larger boot space, measuring 597 litres for the petrol version (compared to 422 litres in the hatchback) or 516 litres in the hybrids (352 litres in the hatch).
In terms of the interior, you can see the effects of the “digital detox” that the Astra has undergone. The previously button-heavy dashboard has been integrated with a digital instrument screen known as the “Pure Panel,” which extends from the driver’s side of the fascia to the center console. Vauxhall aims to position the Astra as a technologically advanced vehicle, and it succeeds to a large extent. The car comes with driver-customizable digital clocks, a 10.0-inch infotainment system with wireless smartphone mirroring, factory navigation by TomTom, wireless device charging, and a head-up display on top trims (not available in the mid-level GS Line car).
Although the plasticky-looking Pure Panel design may not be visually appealing, Vauxhall’s decision to retain physical controls for functions like temperature, audio volume control, and demist is undoubtedly the right one. The overall dashboard layout of the Astra is smart and incorporates colorful accents. However, the material quality falls slightly below the standards of its class, and cabin storage varies from generous (glovebox and armrest cubby) to frustratingly limited (obstructed door pockets).
Multimedia System
The Astra is equipped with a 10.0-inch PureConnect infotainment system that includes standard TomTom navigation. It also offers wireless device mirroring for both Apple and Android devices. The car comes with a one-year data connectivity subscription, which can be extended for an additional fee.
Having good lighting is a crucial component of any glamping experience. The BioLite AlpenGlow 500 is a versatile USB lantern that is priced at $79.95 and is designed to provide exceptional lighting. With a brightness of 500 lumens, this lantern offers nine different lighting modes, similar to those found in smart bulbs. You can choose from various options such as cool white, warm white, single color, multicolor, candle flicker, single side light, fireworks, and more. This allows you to use the lamp for illumination or to create a desired ambiance based on your needs. The AlpenGlow 500 even has a red light night mode and a useful memory feature that remembers the last-used mode.
The lantern is dimmable and equipped with a 6,400mAh power bank. On high brightness, it can last for up to five hours, while on low brightness, it can provide illumination for up to 40 hours. It takes around three hours to charge the lantern, and it also features a USB port that allows you to charge your other gadgets. To help monitor the battery level, the lantern has four LEDs that indicate the remaining power. When the battery is almost empty, the AlpenGlow 500 automatically enters low power mode. Additionally, this camping accessory has an IPX4 rating, ensuring it is capable of withstanding light rainfall and dew. It also includes an integrated hook that enables you to hang it up and illuminate a larger area.
The purpose of transmission additives can vary among different products. However, the general idea is that by adding them to your regular transmission fluid, they can improve the efficiency of your car’s functions. Some additives claim to soften and condition old pressure seals, while others promise to stop fluid leaks in the gearbox.
But do these additives actually deliver on their claims? They do, at least temporarily. When initially added to your car, additives can provide a slight improvement in its performance. They can reduce gear slippage, unclog filters, and help reposition gears, among other benefits. However, the problem lies in their longevity. These additives often deteriorate quickly, breaking down under the high heat generated by the gearbox’s components. As a result, you would need to open up the gearbox and add the additives again to maintain their effects. In fact, this can make the task of topping off your fluid more burdensome instead of reducing it.
“The M XR is the third M model from BMW Motorrad. Based on the current S 1000 XR and S 1000 RR, the product substance of the M 1000 XR – M XR for short – has been tuned to meet the specific requirements of a long-distance sports bike. The riding dynamics speak for themselves, both on the country roads as well as on the race track and on long-distance journeys”.
– Dominik Blass, M 1000 XR Product Manager.
The new BMW M 1000 XR is a long-distance sports bike designed to meet the highest demands for dynamic riding on country roads, long-distance touring, and racing. Introduced as the third M model from BMW Motorrad, it follows the M 1000 RR superbike and the dynamic M 1000 R roadster.
In the centenary year of BMW Motorrad, the new M XR embodies the dynamic philosophy of the brand. With an engine output of 148 kW (201 hp), a lightweight design, and advanced suspension and aerodynamics, the M XR offers unparalleled performance for a crossover sports bike.
The M XR features a modified 4-cylinder in-line engine based on the S 1000 RR, delivering more peak power, higher torque, and increased thrust and traction thanks to shorter gear ratios. It also incorporates aerodynamic components like winglets and wind deflectors, which provide downforce to enhance braking, reduce wheelies, and improve acceleration.
The chassis of the M XR is optimized for performance-oriented riding, with features like Dynamic Damping Control (DDC), adjustable spring base, adjustable steering damper, and a front-oriented tubular handlebar. The M XR is equipped with M brakes, including a radial hand brake pump and lightweight forged aluminum wheels for optimum riding dynamics on the race track.
Other notable features of the M XR include the Brake Slide Assist function for brake drifting, a 6.5-inch TFT display instrument cluster, and M Design elements that exude pure performance and sportiness. For those seeking even more refinement, the M Competition Package offers additional components and further weight reduction.
In summary, the new BMW M 1000 XR is a high-performance long-distance sports bike that combines racing DNA with cutting-edge technology, delivering an exhilarating riding experience on any road or track.
Nissan’s popular vehicle in the United States, the Nissan Rogue, is receiving a mid-cycle refresh just over three years after the current-generation model went into production. Referred to as the X-Trail in other markets, this compact crossover is built in Tennessee and is getting minor exterior changes such as updated bumpers and a redesigned corporate V-motion grille with a more detailed design. The taillights have also been modified for a new look.
Additionally, the badges now have a satin finish, and the SV grade of the Rogue comes with new 18-inch wheels. Opt for the Platinum trim, and you’ll get new 19-inch alloy wheels and glossy black body accents. The 2024 model year offers new color options including Deep Ocean Blue Pearl, Baja Storm, Everest White Pearl, and a few two-tone combinations with a contrasting black roof.
In 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall notice for over 2 million Cosori air fryers due to a faulty wire connection that poses a fire and burn hazard. The CPSC has also recalled air fryers and air fryer ovens from other brands like Insignia and Newair. To ensure your safety, it is advisable to check the CPSC website for any known recalls before buying an air fryer, as some retailers may continue selling faulty units.
It is also important to be aware of the return policies offered by the retailer. If you encounter any issues with your air fryer, such as it not functioning properly, a generous return policy can be very helpful. While some issues may be due to manufacturing defects, like faulty wiring, the risk of burns can also be reduced by maintaining your air fryer properly.
Food particles or leftover marinades can cause fires, so it is crucial to clean the air fryer basket and coils after each use. Additionally, it is recommended to plug the air fryer directly into an outlet instead of using an extension cord and to unplug it when not in use.
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